Oh sh–

My oldest was about 1 year old, standing in his play pen, when we he dropped a toy and uttered his first string of words, “Oh shiiiiiiiiit.” I looked at my husband, laughing, and we said to each other, “Well, that’s appropriate”  🤣

Do your kids swear? Little #1, who’s now almost 6 years old, does it on a weekly, almost daily, basis 🤣 and you know what? We’re ok with it.

Like almost all parents, when my husband and I first had Little #1, we said that we’d have to be careful about our language, because we didn’t want him picking up curse words. But then I realized, I didn’t really care if he cursed.  I figured that if you tell a kid he can’t do something, that will just make him want to do it more. Obviously we keep to this idea within reason and never jeopardize theirs or anyone else’s safety.  So, we never told our Littles that they could or could not use swear words, but rather let them start (or not start) using them in a more organic manner.

When Little #1 did start using swear words, I told him it’s ok to swear, at least when used appropriately. Just don’t do it in school, or at a store lol, because then you’ll get in trouble, Mommy and Daddy will get in trouble, etc.  Basically, like Mommy and Daddy use discretion, so does he.  We explained that not everyone is ok with that kind of language from little kids.  And I’ll tell you, Little #1 really just curses when it’s appropriate, and it’s made for some highly quotable moments! Like this past Halloween, when he insisted on watching “It” (with lights on, surrounded by adults, and forewarned of what happens to poor Georgie.)  As soon as Pennywise made his *chomp* out of that gutter he yelled, “Oh my fucking God!” with the most perfect inflection, and we just started cracking up.

Surprisingly, Little #2 hasn’t really picked it up, and I say surprisingly because he’s a mischievous little badger and I really did expect it.  🤣  The worst he’s said is “ass,” when the two of them were running around their room with their butts hanging out screaming, “Nice ass!”  Cue the giggle fits. 🤦🏻‍♀️  Sigh. Boys, am I right?

Obviously, I’m not a child psychologist, so take what I say with a grain of salt.  And we’re sometimes, okay, often, met with surprise when we tell people it’s not a big deal if you accidentally curse in front of the kids, because we do it all the time, or because they do it all the time. Once I explain the reasoning behind it there is some understanding, but the older generation still finds it a bit odd and pearl clutching. But, it’s been working for us.

Bottom line is, as long as they’re not doing it in public (too much), and they remain the sweethearts that they are, I’m not going to give them hell for saying “shit” or “fuck” when the situation calls for it. Especially considering Mom and Dad do it all the time, and will probably be saying it more and more as they grow up into bratty teenagers and make bigger messes.

xo

VC